Sending out an SOS for 'America's flagship'

By Sarah Hoye, CNN

Updated 7:44 AM ET, Sun April 7, 2013

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What's so special about the SS United States? – In the 1950s and '60s, the ocean liner SS United States was the choice of movie stars, famous musicians and kings. Supporters are trying to save this storied ocean liner from the scrap heap. It's seen here in the U.S. Virgin Islands during its heyday.

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Rough seas – The SS United States powered through rough weather on a regular basis. On its first voyage, it set a trans-Atlantic speed record -- three days, 10 hours and 42 minutes -- a feat that has never been surpassed.

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New York's Pier 86 – The vessel stretched as long as the height of the famous Chrysler Building -- more than 100 feet longer than the Titanic. It's shown here returning to New York after a voyage.

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Duke Ellington at the fireproof piano – Legendary band leader and composer Duke Ellington often commanded the stage aboard the ship, which was so safe it was said to include a fireproof piano.

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Marlon Brando and Salvador Dali – Actor Marlon Brando signed this photo of himself aboard the ship with artist Salvador Dali.

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The royal treatment – Monaco's Prince Rainier and his princess, the former Hollywood star Grace Kelly, were guests aboard the ship.

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Jackie Gleason – Entertainer Jackie Gleason, center, hangs out aboard the SS United States in this undated photo.

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Passenger comforts – Passengers were drawn to the unique comforts of the SS United States, including custom-designed furniture and top-notch dining.

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Ahead of its time – In 1955, long before ship-board movie theaters were commonplace, the SS United States showed films in the popular CinemaScope widescreen format.

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Mothballed – By 1969, trans-Atlantic airlines were hurting the ocean liner business. The SS United States was mothballed.

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Philadelphia – The ship has been anchored in Philadelphia for 17 years. It's been stripped of most of its beautiful interior furnishings.

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Guarding a legacy – Susan Gibbs, granddaughter of late ship designer William Francis Gibbs, is determined to save the SS United States.

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Travel destination ... or scrap? – Keeping the ship afloat costs nearly $80,000 a month for basic maintenance, insurance and security. Supporters hope to save the SS United States by transforming it into a stationary entertainment complex and museum. Otherwise, its owners will be forced to sell it for scrap metal.

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Story highlights

Historic ocean liner SS United States is running out of money and may have to be scrapped

Ship designer's granddaughter: "We have to save her"

Supporters hope to make the ship a stationary entertainment complex and museum

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Now, six decades after its heyday, the vessel dubbed "America's flagship" is in need of a rescue. Expensive maintenance may force the owners to sell the historic ship for scrap metal, unless a solution can be found.

During my tour through the dark and damp shell of former grandeur, the vastness of Gibbs' creationbecame even more evident.

Gibbs, a naval architect responsible for nearly 5,500 Navy vessels that helped win World War II, put everything he had into his ultimate ship. The 2,200-passenger liner also was meant todouble as a trooptransport ship if war broke out.

Gibbs' obsession with creating the perfect ocean liner has now transformed into his granddaughter's obsession with saving it.

"My grandfather was once asked who do you love more, this ship or my grandmother, and he said, 'the ship, a thousand percent,' " said Susan Gibbs, executive director of the SS United States Conservancy. "This is an extraordinary American achievement, an amazing expression of our post-war history, and it would be so tragic to see it destroyed."

Standing in the sunlight flooding the hefty enclosed promenade, Gibbs admits she never traveled aboard "The Big U."

"I didn't know my grandfather. He died when I was young," she said, gazing out the floor-to-ceiling windows. "But I've gotten to know him through this ship. His spirit is here."

"He felt this was the perfect ship and loved what she said about the nation. He saw the ship as a metaphor for the nation's post-war strength, pride and accomplishment."

Gibbs remembers traveling to Philadelphia from her home in Washington to see the SS United States for the first time. Along the way, she read her grandmother's diary out loud in the car.

The journal revealed tales about the ship's maiden voyage and a joyful conga line celebrating the new speed record. It unveiled a bygone era when passengers donned mink stoles and enjoyed a liquor selection that included 49 kinds of scotch.

Full of nostalgia, Gibbs snapped back to reality when the car edged closer to the dock. She gasped at her first sight of the weathered ship.

"When I walked on board, it was only a shadow of that," she said. "I was saddened, but determined that we cannot let the ship go."

Walking through the ship's empty belly, I can feel that sadness too. Gone are the stately furnishings and decorations. All that remain of the cabins are outlines on the floor, accompanied by plugged toilet holes.

It was hard not to feel like I was trespassing on property that was ransacked. Only this was no robbery -- the ship's interior fittingswere auctioned off in the '80s.

Despite the missing fittings, the SS United States remains nothing less than majestic.

The longer I was on the ship, the easier it was to imagine it full of life. I could picture Marlon Brando chatting with artist Salvador Dali in the ballroom; hear Duke Ellington on stage tickling the ivories on one of the ship's fireproof pianos; or watchPresident John F. Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy strollingon the decks.

Dan McSweeney's father worked as a steward on the SS United States. Today, he oversees the liner's redevelopment project and is looking for partners to help save it.

Out of service since 1969, the former reserve ship for the U.S. Navy has been docked in Philadelphia since the mid-1990s.

The goal is to turn it into a stationary entertainment complex and museum.

"It's an irreplaceable part of American history, and once it's gone, it'll never come back, and we'll never have anything like it in the future," said McSweeney, managing director of the SS United States Redevelopment Project. "It's not a vanity project. This is going to create jobs and be the crown jewel of a waterfront district."